War Memorial Auditorium Patrons Find Concert Traffic Hits Sour Note

January 5, 1986|By Kelly Leon, Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE — Getting into and out of a performance at the War Memorial Auditorium in Holiday Park is like playing a game of chicken, according to Hugh Hoffman, a 15-year veteran of attending symphonies at the auditorium.

``It`s sort of like playing chicken when you want to cross against the traffic,`` Hoffman said, referring to the intersection at Ninninger Drive and Federal Highway.

He said because there isn`t a traffic light there, the delays are long and a left turn onto Federal Highway is nearly impossible.

Hoffman said older people who regularly attend the symphony have come to him several times in the past six months asking that he try to do something about the intersection because ``there`s a potential for someone to get hit.``

According to the Broward County Traffic Engineering Department, there was one accident at that intersection in 1984 and none in 1985 through September.

Robert Stried, assistant manager at War Memorial, said numerous people have suggested putting a traffic signal at that location.

Barbara Sarff, spokeswoman for the Florida Department of Transportation, said the state has never received a request for a signal or that a study be done to determine whether one is needed.

She said there are no rules about how far apart traffic lights should be placed but said at least one-quarter mile is usually recommended.

Hoffman said an alternative to a traffic light would be a police officer directing traffic at the intersection 15 minutes before and after any performance at the auditorium that attracts large crowds.

Deputy Chief Joe Gerwens of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department said the city has done that in the past when the event and size of the crowd warrants it and will continue to do so in the future.

Stried agreed that traffic does become backed up at the intersection before and after performances but said, ``everybody`s gone from here in 15 minutes.``

He said concert goers could speed up their exits if they would take routes other than Ninninger Drive such as Northeast 10th and 12th avenues, which exit onto Northeast Sixth Street, or driving around to the north end of the park and exiting onto Sunrise Boulevard.